The “Hidden Treasure” Dinner: The Ultimate Spinach and Feta Stuffed Meatloaf!

Don’t you just love a main course that has a little bit of a “wow” factor? A beautiful dish that looks impressive on the platter and elicits gasps of delight from your dinner guests when you serve it. It is the kind of meal that makes a simple dinner feel like a five-star event.

This incredible meatloaf is the very definition of that “wow” factor. On the outside, it looks like a classic, savory, and perfectly baked meatloaf, but the real magic happens the moment you slice into it. A beautiful and vibrant spiral of green spinach and creamy, tangy feta cheese is revealed inside.

Today, we are making this stunning Spinach and Feta Stuffed Meatloaf. This simple recipe is a brilliant way to turn a humble comfort food into a true gourmet masterpiece. Get ready to create a dinner that is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat.

The Ultimate “Surprise Inside” Meal: Easy Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe

This Easy Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe is the ultimate “surprise inside” meal. The recipe takes a classic, juicy meatloaf and elevates it with a savory and delicious filling. It’s a completely foolproof method for creating a beautiful spiral that will impress everyone at your dinner table.

A Perfect Gourmet Family Dinner for Creative Ground Beef Ideas

You will find that this is the perfect gourmet family dinner. While it looks incredibly fancy, the steps are straightforward and use simple, accessible ingredients. This is also one of the absolute best creative ground beef ideas, a fantastic way to transform an affordable ingredient into a spectacular and memorable main course.

Your Guide: How to Roll a Stuffed Meatloaf

For anyone wondering how to roll a stuffed meatloaf to get that perfect spiral, the simple secret is to pat your meat mixture out into a large, even rectangle on a big piece of parchment paper. You will then spread your prepared spinach and feta filling evenly all over the meat, being sure to leave a small border around all the edges. You will then use the parchment paper to help you lift and tightly roll the meat up into a log, just like you would for a jelly roll cake, and then pinch the seam to seal it all up.

Why You’ll Love This Spinach and Feta Stuffed Meatloaf

You are going to love this recipe because it is a fun and impressive way to elevate a classic comfort food into something truly special. You’ll also adore the incredible flavor combination of the savory beef with the salty, briny feta cheese and the earthy spinach. Plus, the beautiful spiral presentation makes it a show-stopping centerpiece for any dinner party or holiday meal.

Nutritional Benefits

This beautiful and hearty meatloaf is a wonderfully satisfying family meal. The ground beef provides a fantastic source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients like iron. By stuffing the meatloaf with a generous amount of spinach, you are also adding a huge and delicious dose of vitamins and minerals to your dinner.

Full Recipe

Are you ready to create a show-stopping meatloaf that will become a legendary recipe in your family? This comprehensive guide will walk you through every simple step, from creating the savory filling to rolling and baking this masterpiece to perfection. Get ready to master a new family-favorite that is the very definition of gourmet comfort food.

Cut into this meatloaf to reveal a delicious surprise! This gourmet recipe features a savory filling of spinach and tangy feta cheese, creating a beautiful spiral and an incredible flavor combination. It’s the perfect way to turn a simple dinner into a special occasion.

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes | Yield: 6-8 servings | Category: Dinner, Main Course | Method: Baking, Sautéing | Cuisine: American, Greek-inspired | Diet: Low-Carb

Essential Ingredients for a Spinach and Feta Stuffed Meatloaf

This gourmet comfort food masterpiece comes together with a handful of simple, flavour-packed ingredients.

• For the Meatloaf:
  • 2 lbs (about 1 kg) of lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup of Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• For the Spinach and Feta Filling:
  • 1 package (10 oz / 280g) of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
  • 6 oz (170g) of crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Ingredients Notes

A little more detail on our key ingredients will ensure your meatloaf is a spectacular success.

• The Ground Beef: For a rich and meaty loaf that is not overly greasy, it is best to use a lean ground beef, such as an 85/15 or a 90/10 blend. You can also use a combination of different ground meats, like half beef and half ground pork, for an even richer flavour.
• The Spinach: It is absolutely essential that you thaw your frozen spinach completely and then squeeze out as much of the excess water as you possibly can. A great trick is to place the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel and wring it out over the sink until it is very dry. This non-negotiable step is the key to ensuring your meatloaf does not become watery.
• The Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese adds a wonderfully salty, briny, and savory flavor that perfectly complements the spinach and the beef. For the best flavor, it is a great idea to buy a block of feta cheese that is packed in brine and crumble it yourself.
• The Breadcrumbs: A small amount of Panko breadcrumbs is a key ingredient that helps to bind the meatloaf together. It also helps to keep the meatloaf wonderfully tender and moist, not dense.

How to Turn a Simple Dinner Into a Special Occasion

Let’s walk through the simple steps to create this perfect, gourmet meatloaf dinner.

• Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and the Filling. First, preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the very dry, squeezed spinach, the crumbled feta cheese, and the 2 cloves of minced garlic for the filling.
• Step 2: Create the Meatloaf Mixture. In a separate large bowl, combine the ground beef, the Panko breadcrumbs, the large egg, the 2 cloves of minced garlic for the meatloaf, and the dried oregano. Season the mixture generously with salt and pepper.
• Step 3: Mix and Form the Base. Use your hands to gently mix all the meatloaf ingredients together until they are just combined, being very careful not to overmix. On your prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, pat the meat mixture out into a large rectangle that is about 10×12 inches in size.
• Step 4: Add the Filling and Roll. Spread the prepared spinach and feta filling evenly all over the top of the meat rectangle, leaving about a 1-inch border around all the edges. Using the parchment paper to help you lift, carefully and tightly roll the meat up into a log, just like you would for a jelly roll.
• Step 5: Seal and Bake. Pinch the seam and the ends of the meatloaf together to seal the filling inside completely. Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour.
• Step 6: Rest and Serve. The meatloaf is done when it is cooked through and nicely browned on the outside. Let the meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before you slice it into thick slices and serve.

Storage Options

This delicious stuffed meatloaf makes for fantastic leftovers. Once the dish has cooled completely, you can store it, covered tightly with foil or in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is fantastic reheated, or served cold in a classic meatloaf sandwich.

Variations and Substitutions

This classic recipe is a wonderful and versatile template that you can easily adapt. You can use a combination of different ground meats, like half ground beef and half ground pork, for an even richer result. For a different cheesy flavour, you can substitute the feta cheese with another flavorful cheese like a provolone or even a Boursin.

Practical & Valuable Tips

For the most flavourful filling, be sure to squeeze your thawed spinach until it is bone-dry to prevent your meatloaf from becoming soggy. For the most tender meatloaf, be very careful not to overmix your meat mixture; just mix until the ingredients are combined. Finally, the most important tip of all is to let your finished meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before you slice into it; this allows the juices to redistribute and will result in a much more moist and flavourful slice with a beautiful, clean spiral.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen? Yes, you can. You would need to sauté a large, 10-ounce bag of fresh spinach until it has wilted down completely. You would then need to let it cool and be sure to squeeze out all of the excess moisture, just as you would with the frozen kind.
2. My meatloaf is falling apart. What did I do wrong? If your meatloaf is falling apart, it is likely because the filling was a little too wet, or the meat was not rolled tightly enough. Be sure your spinach is very dry and that you roll the log as tightly as you can, pinching the seam well to seal it.
3. Can I make this meatloaf ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal! You can fully assemble the entire unbaked meatloaf, cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it. You will just need to add about 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
4. Can I freeze this stuffed meatloaf? Yes, this meatloaf freezes beautifully. The best method is to freeze the cooked and cooled meatloaf, either whole or in individual slices. You can then thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it gently in the oven or the microwave.
5. What is the best way to serve this hearty meatloaf? This rich and hearty meatloaf is a fantastic main course that is wonderful served with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, some simple roasted asparagus, or a fresh Greek salad.

Conclusion

This Spinach and Feta Stuffed Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food for a cozy and satisfying meal. It’s a dish that takes a beloved classic and elevates it with a delicious, savory, and beautiful surprise inside. It is a foolproof, family-favorite recipe that is guaranteed to have everyone at your table feeling warm, happy, and very impressed. It’s a flavor explosion. If you love this easy and delicious comfort food, don’t forget to share it and save it to your favorite dinner recipes board on Pinterest!